The usual shot, but no worry of being bowled by the southbound train as it had run very early & I missed it. It’s a good job the loco I wanted to see was on the northbound train, otherwise I wouldn’t have been very happy.

The 56 video was filmed after my arrival on 153371/170635, but I reversed the order to get a better thumbnail for the playlist. I wasn’t expecting 56087 to run so early, you can actually see it approaching if you watch the DMU clip – I was surprised to notice it after I finished filming that & quickly moved to the other platform edge to film it.

I was at Old Hill to film a couple of freights and a railtour, as seen in a previous playlist. To pass the time I filmed some of the units passing, all very uninteresting but the 170s diverted away from the Lickey did break the monotony slightly.

Two engineers trains from Norton Jn. were due up the Dark Side during the afternoon. A banker was required for one of them & is seen in the first clip running down to Stourbridge. Next clip shows 66097 with a very long train & of course the banker. Soon after that was 67006 on the Cornish Riviera Statesman. Finally 66194 on the second engineers train.

This is the second week that 6M56 has been booked into the loop. At least this time it was going well as it rounded the curve before cutting power as it approached the station. One problem here is the sun, behind the train, but the station building comes in handy to provide some shade.

Another weekend, so I must be at Arley, well that’s how it seems these days!! The bonus today was 1450 on the Auto train, propelling to Highley. It was also the first day of the year for the scheduled diesel service, using D8059.

After a very enjoyable meal on the Venturer, I filmed a few clips on the return journey. Departure from Bridgnorth, 43106 passing us at Hampton Loade, departure from Northwood Halt, and again from Bewdley, finally the approach to Kidderminster.

After a break of several weeks, good old 6M56 was back again on Monday afternoon. This time it was booked into Rowley loop, so no thrash through the station – just a gentle run past as it had to slowly enter the loop.

It’s not often I see the Round Oak trains anywhere but Stourbridge, but my train was cancelled due to a fatality at Tyseley. There was just time to get back home, then drive to Hagley. Unfortunately the northbound train had run early & I missed that, but did see 66014 – which is the one I didn’t have a video of. We had originally planned to drive to a nearby garden centre later in the morning, but, I got my toasted teacake earlier than planned – so it wasn’t a pointless car journey just to see a train!!

Easter Sunday and the green timetable, so a frequent train service including the “Limited” diner. If I had been taking photos it wouldn’t have been much fun as all but one shot would have been locos running backwards!

I can’t remember the last time the flask train came this way in the evening, but as it was the first flask train for several weeks it was good to see it. Only 15 minutes to wait for the Chiltern train from London, and as you will see the DMU cleared about 4 seconds before 67008 appeared, and nobody on the platform to get in the way!!

Bescot – Alexandra Docks Junction, and round the Dark Side! I had no idea what it would be but decided to go & see it. It ran about 10 minutes late & I missed my train back to Old Hill – but at least it was a warm evening so waiting for the next one wasn’t too bad.